Department for Transport

Hammersmith Bridge: Repairs and Maintenance

Baroness Hodgson of Abinger: To ask Her Majesty's Government whether the fourth extraordinary funding settlement for Transport for London includes funding for the repair and reopening of Hammersmith Bridge.

Baroness Vere of Norbiton: The repair and reopening of Hammersmith bridge to all users, including motor vehicles, remains a government priority.The fourth extraordinary funding settlement reaffirms this position and includes a commitment from the government, Transport for London (TfL) and London Borough of Hammersmith & Fulham (LBHF) to take forward a share of the costs for the repair and reopening of Hammersmith Bridge. Any government funding for the bridge will be subject to the approval of a business case submitted by LBHF to Department for Transport (DfT) and TfL.

Companies: Scotland

Lord Forsyth of Drumlean: To ask Her Majesty's Government what discussions they have had with the Scottish Government about (1) the provision of investment funds to (a) Ferguson Marine, (b) BiFab, and (c) Prestwick Airport, and (2) the nationalisation of Ferguson Marine; and whatwas the total cost of these measures to the Exchequer.

Baroness Vere of Norbiton: The UK government has had no discussion with the Scottish Government on this because responsibility for funding to ports and airports is a devolved matter.

EGNOS

Lord Berkeley: To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer byBaroness Vere of Norbiton on 11 February (HL5963), what assessment they made of the value of safety of life when deciding not to participate in the European Geostationary Navigation Overlay Service (EGNOS) project.

Lord Berkeley: To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessmenthave they made ofthe economic effect on businesses and the local economy in the areas around airports affected by the cancellation of European Geostationary Navigation Overlay Services; and whether they will place a copy of any such assessment in the Library of the House.

Baroness Vere of Norbiton: The Government’s policy on the UK’s membership of the European Geostationary Navigation Overlay Service (EGNOS) took account of the likely safety and operational impacts on the UK’s aviation sector if the UK withdrew from the EGNOS programme set against the expected cost of more than £30million per annum to the taxpayer of remaining within it.Whilst there may be operational impacts for operators – such as landing at airports in certain weather conditions - it was assessed that the safety impacts of removal of EGNOS would be minimal given the availability of alternative landing procedures and the requirement for pilots to fly in accordance with the established regulations at the time of their flight.Although no specific assessment of the possible impact on the wider impact on business and the local economy was undertaken, it was considered that the overall impact on the operations of the 18 UK airports affected, and the communities they serve, would be marginal.The UK Government is currently exploring the potential options for future participation in space-based augmentation systems which have the potential to cost far less than EGNOS membership.

Department of Health and Social Care

Breast Cancer: Screening

Baroness Ritchie of Downpatrick: To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made ofthe benefits of introducing Artificial Intelligence led mammography (1) to increase capacity in breast screening programmes, and (2) to support the work of radiologists.

Lord Kamall: In the National Health Service, each mammogram is reviewed by two radiologists, with the second opinion blind to the first. The Artificial Intelligence in Health and Care Award is funding the trial of artificial intelligence (AI) to evaluate its performance as a replacement for the second reader in the NHS Breast Screening Programme. AI may support radiologists by spotting earlier signs of cancer, reduce workforce pressures and increase efficiency.

Domestic Abuse and Gender Based Violence

Baroness Brady: To ask Her Majesty's Government further to their publication Our Vision for the Women’s Health Strategy for England, published on 23 December 2021, what engagement the Department for Health and Social Care has had with (1) survivors of domestic abuse, (2) support groups for victims of domestic abuse, and (3) representatives of organisations campaigning to end violence against women and girls.

Lord Kamall: The Call for Evidence, which informs the priorities, content and actions of the Women’s Health Strategy for England was open for 14 weeks. Organisations and individuals were invited to contribute, including those supporting the victims of domestic abuse and with lived experience. Since publication, we have continued to engage with representatives from the sector.

Social Services

Baroness Bennett of Manor Castle: To ask Her Majesty's Government what estimate they have made, if any, of the number of recipients of social care in England who (1) required, and (2) received, night-time care packages, in (a) 2018, (b) 2019, (c) 2020, and (d) 2021.

Lord Kamall: The information requested is not held centrally.

Mental Health Services: Children and Young People

The Marquess of Lothian: To ask Her Majesty's Government what is the current average waiting time for (1) initial assessment at specialist Child And Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS), and (2) treatment by CAMHS, for each NHS Trust in England.

Lord Kamall: The information requested is not available as a national access and waiting times standard for child and adolescent mental health services has not yet been defined. NHS England and NHS Improvement have consulted on the definition and introduction of five waiting time standards, including four for children and young people. The consultation closed on 1 September 2021. We will work with NHS England and NHS Improvement on the next steps for the proposed mental health access and waiting measures.

Abortion: Drugs

Baroness Bennett of Manor Castle: To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the impact of allowing home use of mifepristone on the number of abortion pills purchased online from unregulated providers.

Lord Kamall: No specific assessment has been made. Buying pills online outside of the provisions of the Abortion Act 1967 is unlawful and remains subject to criminal sanctions. Under the Abortion Act, women have access to safe, legal and regulated abortion services.

Health and Wellbeing Boards and Integrated Care Systems: Meetings

Lord Hunt of Kings Heath: To ask Her Majesty's Government what steps they will take to ensure that members of the public are given a direct opportunity to raise concerns about matters relating to (1) health, and (2) care, at the meetings of (a) Integrated Care Boards, (b) Integrated Care Partnerships, and (c) Health and Well-Being Boards.

Lord Kamall: The Health and Care Bill proposes duties on integrated care boards (ICBs) to involve people in their decisions about health and care. Subject to the passage of the Bill, ICBs, integrated care partnerships and Health and Wellbeing Boards will have duties to consult with or involve the public in their plans and strategies. Currently, NHS England assesses each clinical commissioning group on its delivery against the patient and public involvement duties through the NHS Oversight Framework. We expect that this will continue for Integrated Care Boards. Each area should determine how to involved its population most effectively, including through attendance at meetings.

Obesity: Children

Lord McColl of Dulwich: To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to the increases in childhood obesity during the COVID-19 lockdown, as shown by the National Child Measurement Programmes data for 2020 to 2021, published on 20 January, what plans they have to revisethe Department of Health and Social Care’s advice on combating childhood obesity.

Lord Kamall: We continue to monitor progress and emerging evidence and will keep the advice under review.

Coronavirus: Protective Clothing

Lord Roberts of Llandudno: To ask Her Majesty's Government what guidance they provide to Government Ministers on wearing face coverings in crowded places with people they do not usually meet every day.

Lord Kamall: There is no separate guidance for the usage of facemasks worn by Government Ministers.

Coronavirus: Screening

Lord Truscott: To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of reports that the city of Bath has had no COVID-19 lateral flow tests available for over two weeks; and what steps, if any, they are taking to rectify this situation.

Lord Kamall: No specific assessment has been made. However, since Christmas 2021, the UK Health Security Agency has increased both the supply of tests and distribution capability. Since January 2022, we have delivered seven million tests a day through GOV.UK and 90 million tests a week through all delivery channels.

Travel: Coronavirus

Lord Scriven: To ask Her Majesty's Government what mechanisms they have in place, if any, to check that results from COVID-19 PCR tests provided by private companies for those entering England from abroad meet the public health requirement to return test results within two days.

Lord Scriven: To ask Her Majesty's Government how many private companies offering COVID-19 PCR tests for those returning to England from abroad have been reported for failing to meet the two-day test result return requirement from November 2021 to date; and how many of these companies have since been removed from the Government website.

Lord Kamall: We closely monitor the performance of private providers, including delivery and testing services. Those providing inadequate services receive a warning allowing the company to demonstrate it has rectified its service or it is removed from the GOV.UK list. Private providers may be reinstated to the list once they have undertaken corrective action and provided the Department with such evidence.The information requested on the number of companies which have failed to meet the two day requirement is not currently available, as this data is not yet centrally validated. No providers have been removed as a direct result of failing to meet the two-day test result return requirement alone. All providers have a legal requirement to report on a daily basis to achieve all minimum standards, which includes the returning of test results within two days.

Coronavirus: Screening

Lord Bourne of Aberystwyth: To ask Her Majesty's Government what plans they have along with the private sector to ensure that lateral flow tests will be available throughout the country at a reasonable price from 1 April.

Lord Kamall: Manufacturers and retailers should have autonomy to set pricing for the sale of lateral flow device (LFD) tests, as well as pack sizes. However, the Government will ensure that private testing is a properly regulated market, as with any other healthcare product, including ensuring that the price of tests is not inappropriately high for consumers.

Coronavirus: Drugs

Baroness Rawlings: To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer byLord Kamall on 9 February (HL6141), whetherpharmacists are able to (1) stock, and (2) sell, the antiviral medications (a) molnupiravir, and (b) Paxlovid.

Lord Kamall: Community pharmacies are not able to stock and sell COVID-19 treatments, including molnupiravir or PF-07321332+ritonavir, co-packaged as Paxlovid. Updates on accessing these medications will be provided in due course.

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome: Health Services

Baroness Ritchie of Downpatrick: To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the services available topeoplewithMyalgic Encephalomyelitis (ME).

Baroness Ritchie of Downpatrick: To ask Her Majesty's Government what further steps they are taking to develop a national strategy for Myalgic Encephalomyelitis (ME).

Baroness Ritchie of Downpatrick: To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of whether the new National Institute for Health and Care Excellence Guidance forMyalgic Encephalomyelitis (ME) is being implemented in accordance with the regulations.

Baroness Ritchie of Downpatrick: To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they have plans toprovide additional funding for Myalgic Encephalomyelitis (ME) research; and if so, when.

Lord Kamall: No specific assessment of the services available to people with myalgic encephalomyelitis and chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS) has been made. Clinical commissioning groups are best placed to plan, assess and commission ME/CFS care services. These processes are subject to local prioritisation and funding and should take into account best practice guidance, such as the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence’s (NICE) most recent guidelines. Whilst guidelines are not mandatory, clinicians and commissioners are expected to take them fully into account in designing services that meet the needs of their local population and to work towards their implementation over time.We continue to consider options to improve outcomes for people with ME/CFS and their families, including the potential development of a national strategy. The Government invests in health research through the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) and the Medical Research Council (MRC). The NIHR and MRC welcome high-quality applications for research into all aspects of ME/CFS. While there are no plans to provide additional funding at this time, both funders are considering how they can support the academic community to drive research in this underserved area.